Love and Music

Comfort

The next morning, Rahul called up Arshi at 7:30 AM to inform her about the proceedings of the day. Rahul said, "I will be coming late to pick you up as I have some work regarding the music for a short film with Divyansh and Chetna, so that will cause the delay. The flight is at 11:30 AM, so we have to leave home by 9:30 AM. After the concert, we have some work in the studio that you and I have to wind up by today. I feel so bad for you that you have to work for so long even when your parents are here. By the way, I can meet them today. Have you told them about us?" Arshi answered, "I am yet to tell them. The thing is we are all caught up with something or the other, and mom also has got a surprise for me, which is waiting too long to unveil. I will tell them about you today. By the way, I can come to pick you up if you want, as you might be late. I will reach and give you a call. Is that fine?" Rahul agreed in the affirmative. He would love a ride from Arshi too. Rahul said, "Get me your special coffee if you can?" Arshi replied, "Surely. I will get it for you. Now it is better if you get going to complete your work and also pack up for the trip."

Arshi went to her parents' room and hugged her mother. She informed them, "I have a concert in Pune today. So I have a flight to catch at 10 AM. I will be late as, after the concert, I have some work in the studio. I have the spare key with me. So don't wait for me. Mom, I am waiting for your surprise too." Mom replied, "I shall tell you once you return. Have a great concert, Arshi." 

Arshi packed her bag and made some coffee for Rahul that she packed in the usual thermal mug that Rahul and Arshi had got when they had gone shopping together. She left home at 9:00 AM and headed to Rahul's house. She called up Rahul as she was approaching his place. Rahul picked up and said, Hey! I am done with my music work, But packing is left. Will wind up soon. Can you come up here?" Arshi agreed, "Okay, Fine." Arshi went to his room, where he was packing his bag. They hugged each other, but it was not the usual one. Arshi felt something wrong about it. She felt as if Rahul is not in the right frame of mind. She hugged him tighter. She did not pick up the topic there. She helped Rahul pack the bags and left. She met Ma while going from home. Arshi touched her feet, and Ma hugged her back and blessed her, "All the best for the concert tonight." Arshi and Rahul thanked ma and left.

Arshi handed over the coffee to Rahul, who thanked her with a huge hug, and Arshi drove the car while Rahul sat in the front seat beside her. There were no talks. Rahul sat, looking outside the window. Rahul was worried about something that Arshi could not figure out at all. Arshi held his hand that was placed in the seatbelt buckle. Arshi simply held his hand and did not speak up anything. That is when Rahul broke down. Tears streamed down his eyes. Arshi was in pain, seeing him like this. Arshi worriedly asked, "Rahul. What happened? Are you okay? Tell me. Speak up. All is well, right?" He said, "I will tell you later." as they were approaching the airport. They reached by 10:00 AM. Radhika, Vashishth, Amit sir, and Akshat sir had already arrived. They were waiting for Darshan Joshi and Aditya, who were yet to come. They all checked in at 10:40 AM. 

All of them went off to sleep except Rahul and Arshi. Arshi and Rahul sat beside each other. Arshi held his hand and tried to console him. Rahul replied, stuttering, "I am okay. I am just worried about us. I know it is funny, but there is a different level of worry that I have for us. It is not the fear that you love me or not, but its the fact that will the world accept us. I know I might be overthinking, and you may be thinking that I am going crazy, but I really can't help it."  She waited and allowed him to complete. She gently spoke in a manner that strangely comforted him. Arshi said," I can do anything to prove that I love you, and you know that well enough. Does it matter if the world does or does not accept us? If people who matter to us, take us, that is enough. We will love the way we do, and there is nothing that can stop us. Have faith in the love that we have for each other. Stay optimistic. God has written our destinies well. God has helped us meet, and God will help us be together too. So, don't worry. " Rahul said, "How do you manage to make me feel so comfortable in all situations? That is so you, Arshi. I am thankful for my stars to have found you. I never thought that I would find someone who will not judge me and make me always feel loved, and you comfort me. You are so different from the world. You are my pillar of strength. You make me smile whenever I see you. I truly never thought that I would be so head over heels in love with you, Arshi." Arshi replied, smiling, "I say the same about you. The entire little journey that I have had would have been nothing without you. And now, my life feels fulfilled because of you. I so love you to the sun and back. There is no one like you." 

The flight landed, and they headed to the concert location at 1:30 PM. They had their lunch there, after which they went for the soundcheck. 

The concert was fantastic, and they were done with it by 9:30 PM. They had a flight to catch at 11:30 PM. They headed to the studio directly from the airport. Akshat sir, Amir sir, Rahul, and Arshi left in Arshi's car to the studio. They had to work on an album called Bhoomi that was an Akshat Amit Original.  The album had 18 songs out of which Arshi was singing two songs, one with Rahul and the other was her solo single. Rahul was singing three songs as the lead, one with Arshi and 2 with Akshat sir. He and Arshi were a part of the backing vocals for six other songs that were performed by various artists. They had to program and edit one of the songs that were to be put up for the final mix and mastering by the next day. Amit sir left early, while Arshi, Rahul, and Akshat sir sat down in the studio till 2:30 AM, after which they finally wrapped up. 

Arshi dropped Rahul at his place and then drove to her home. She entered her house with the spare key that she had. She was exhausted and directly went off to sleep. Rahul, on the other hand, was still unable to fall asleep worrying for something that he could feel as he was farsighted, but Arshi was unaware of what was going to arrive. 

A storm is coming soon. Arshi and Rahul promised to stand beside each other during all storms but someone may just leave the other even at the sight of the first rain. The storm in their life is yet to arrive to leave the two of them and all the others in the story speechless and troubled. Will their love survive the storm or will it destroy the love or will it turn their love into hatred? Stay tuned for all the updates.